March 28, 2004

FEET TIME:

Germans go on offensive to retain U.S. military bases (Melissa Eddy, 03/28/2004, Associated Press )

As host to 170,000 American soldiers and dependents, Germany has a lot to lose under Pentagon plans to shift forces out of western Europe, and officials in areas facing a pinch are lobbying heavily for them to stay.

Economic survival for their communities, more than security, is the concern for these supporters of a continued U.S. presence in their regions, where ties are deeply rooted despite Germans' current criticism of U.S. policy in Iraq.

Many of the communities depend on business and jobs generated by the bases, located mainly in economically weak regions of southern and western Germany.

"We realized that our installations are in grave danger," said Karl Peter Bruch, a state official in Rhineland-Palatinate who heads an effort to lobby U.S. officials. "And then came the question, what can we do to make us more attractive?"


Being beside us during the Iragi offensive might have helped, instead of behind us with long knives.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 28, 2004 5:03 PM
Comments

"Germans go on offensive to retain U.S. military bases"

Funny, last time they were on the offensive they meant to drive us out.

Posted by: Karl at March 28, 2004 5:17 PM

"...our installations..."

Say what?

Posted by: jsmith at March 28, 2004 5:28 PM

If we don't shut down a couple of major bases in Germany, we will be accounted fools and cowards

Posted by: Robert Schwartz at March 28, 2004 8:13 PM

Screw 'em. Move the bases to Poland--preferably near Polish cities that used to have German names before the Nazi bastards lost World War Two.

Posted by: Lou Gots at March 28, 2004 8:22 PM

They've known this is coming for a while now.

Posted by: Sandy P. at March 28, 2004 10:15 PM

Even absent Germany's anti-American activity during the lead-up to the Iraqi pacification, there's simply no reason to keep American troops in Germany, and many reasons to position them elsewhere.

Same for the US troops in South Korea; They should be withdrawn, not moved to Pusan.

Posted by: Michael Herdegen at March 29, 2004 2:48 AM

Michael Herdegen is exactly right. This entire Iraq thing is too emotional to base decisions on. Definitely it is expensive to have the bases in Germany and all military materials can be pre-positioned in areas more appropriate for potential conflicts.

Regarding Nato etc. I say lets renegotiate now. That should have been done years ago. (Post 1990 of course) With out trying to be sarcastic, it appears that Nato has already been "re-negotiated" and its just remains for the US to realize it. Right now the terms of Nato is clear, the US fights, Europe stays on the sidelines.

Posted by: h-man at March 29, 2004 6:02 AM

"Right now the terms of Nato is clear, the US fights, Europe stays on the sidelines."

And lectures (with wagging fingers) those stupid, simplissime cowboys from their High Horse of Our Moral Superiority.

Posted by: Ken at March 29, 2004 12:38 PM
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